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'Amoral' DSA wants Friday dearer
Page 12
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THE DRIVING Standards Agency has been accused of being "amoral" and "unethical" after a consultative document included plans to increase the fees for HGV tests taken on a Friday from £76 to £98.
"They are only considering it because there is more of a demand for tests on Fridays than on other days of the week," says Edward Pargeter, director of Leatherhead-based EP Training Services."To me it hints at blatant profiteering at the expense of trainee drivers.
"It's difficult enough to recruit drivers into the industry." he says.
Pargeter is calling on other training providers to put pressure on the DSA to change its mind by making use of the consultation period, which ends on 24 September.
"Many companies put drivers on training courses between Monday and Friday with the test at the end of the week so as not to upset work rotas," he says.
The £98 Friday test fee, due to be introduced in November, would compare with an increased charge of £80 for tests on Monday-Thursday (up from £76).
The DSA believes the existing fee structure has contributed to the high demand for tests on a Friday while there are vacant slots during the rest of the week.
However, a spokesperson says: "This is stilljust a proposal.Training providers are welcome to make their comments."